Sharks depend on Steve
FROM the passing of Southport president Dr Alan Mackenzie to season 2021’s cancellation and the Queensland floods, the past 12 months have been challenging for the Sharks.
But one thing remained certain: Steve Daniel.
The prolific coach came to Southport in 2018 after the club finished second bottom in the NEAFL and instantly made an impact when he transformed them into premiers within a year.
Yet Daniel’s impact on the playing group has been felt equally off the field as on for forward Zac Foot.
“I probably see him as more of a father figure than a coach,” Foot said.
“I go into his office a lot and have a chat for an hour in there before I have to get out and do weights and start training.
“He’s a real good person. I think a lot of us have played high-level footy, we understand the game and Steve probably understands that too and he wants to bring us really close together and he’s about trying to get the best out of ourselves.
“For me, I’ve been on a list, been delisted but always felt I’m a hardworking person so it’s nice to have someone who believes in you and someone you can talk to outside of footy as well.”
Daniel said he understood as coach he was a father figure, a shrink and a friend all in one.
“That’s something I’ve been told all through my coaching career (about his impact off the field),” he said.
“Building relationships is my biggest asset. All my players, whether they’re in that 22 or not, I like to treat them with the respect they deserve.
“It’s all about relationship building and making my players feel good within themselves and enjoying football.
“If they’re doing both of those things, I know I’m going to get the best of them out on the park.”
And for Daniel, above winning premierships comes getting his players to AFL level.
“For me, if we could get one or two drafted next year I would be absolutely stoked,” he said. “When we recruit people here it’s with the opportunity of getting them back into an AFL list.”
The Sharks will be coming against VFL premiership favourites the Casey Demons, who dropped only one game in the 18-round season.
But having ex-Casey boys Foot and Jay Lockhart could be the Sharks’ secret weapon.
“We had a meeting … and we touched on Casey a little bit,” Foot said. “Jay Lockhart and I spoke about the importance of their taller players, with Mitch Brown and Tom McDonald and their ability to move the ball, and how well they work on a long kick down the line and how they get numbers there.
“If we can stop that it will go a long way for us this week.”